In a move coordinated with Kennedy’s announcement of mass layoffs at HHS agencies and the closing of regional service offices, Secretary Kennedy also immediately terminated more than $190 million in cooperative agreement funds for Arizona public health infrastructure & initiatives.
Feds withhold $190M in public health grants to Arizona, AZCentral – Innes
For Arizona, the cancellation of nearly $190 million in federal grants marks a severe blow to efforts to safeguard public health. ADHS received notification that several critical grants were being cut, effective March 24, 2025.
It’s still unclear exactly which entities are being cut and by how much – the $190M in cuts represented investments in public health and PH infrastructure among more than 269 contracts with local organizations, all 15 county health departments, several Tribal health departments, and university partners.
Mohave County health programs hit by loss of federal funding | 12news | Resnick
Specific cuts included the CDC Health Disparities Grant, sub-grants tied to the Vaccines for Children Program, and sub-grants within the Epidemiology Laboratory Capacity Grant—all of which focused on improving disease surveillance, response capabilities, and public health infrastructure across Arizona.
Trump cancels billions in health grants, hitting local efforts hard
These cuts aren’t just numbers; they’re a direct assault on Arizona’s ability to respond to emerging infectious diseases and protect the public’s health.
The affected grants had funded crucial programs designed to bolster the state’s disease detection, prevention, and control efforts. Local organizations—ranging from the 15 county health departments to tribal health centers and universities—were all relying on this funding to carry out projects aimed at monitoring and responding to public health threats.
Among the alarming cuts are an immediate end to improving the effectiveness of MEDSIS (the state’s disease case surveillance system) – Arizona’s tool for monitoring and coordinating the response to disease cases and outbreaks.
Arizona public health agencies losing $190M in federal grants | 12news.com
Without the funding now gone, Arizona’s public health infrastructure further behind in the fight against future outbreaks. As communicable diseases continue to evolve, this system would have played a critical role in tracking trends and ensuring timely responses.
The loss of these funds effectively halts Arizona’s efforts to improve its disease surveillance capabilities.
Other initiatives funded by the now deceased grants were filling response holes by supporting local health departments and providing tools for better disease control. With the termination of these funds, projects that were on track and compliant with grant requirements will now come to a standstill, leaving local health agencies without crucial resources.
The impact of these cuts will be far-reaching. Arizona’s public health infrastructure will be weakened and Arizona’s ability to respond to health emergencies undermined.
Kennedy’s move is part of a larger strategy that seems intent on dismantling essential public health functions at the federal, state and local level. While his push to refocus on chronic diseases has some merit, the immediate effects of these funding cuts suggest that the true cost will be the loss of crucial resources and infrastructure that protects the health and safety of all Arizonans.
In short, the termination of these grants marks a big blow to Arizona’s public health system. With vital programs cut and surveillance tools stalled, the state will be ill-equipped to face future health crises. These changes are not just a setback—they are a direct threat to public health and well-being in Arizona.
Editorial Note: I wish I had better news – and my intent isn’t to bum all of you out – but it’s important to see things with a clear eye so we can collectively do the best we can to weather the public health storm we’re facing together.
